The Alabama Crimson Tide entered the College Football Playoff for the first time last season under head coach Kalen DeBoer. They secured a victory over Oklahoma in the opening round but suffered a significant defeat to Indiana in the quarterfinal held at the Rose Bowl. In April, DeBoer signed a seven-year contract extension valued at $87.7 million. Moving forward, Alabama has high expectations for DeBoer to deliver more successes.
This year, the Crimson Tide faces challenges in returning to the CFP. The team has several uncertainties on their roster, notably at the quarterback position, where Keelon Russell and Austin Mack are set to compete for the starting role during training camp. Additionally, the defense lost four players to the NFL draft.
The nine-game SEC schedule will test Alabama this season. Below are three key matchups that will shape DeBoer’s third year in Tuscaloosa.
Georgia at Alabama (Oct. 10)
Georgia has been a tough opponent for Alabama, despite the Crimson Tide’s success in recent regular-season games. Alabama defeated Georgia 41-34 in 2024 and managed a narrow 24-21 victory last season in September. However, Georgia dominated Alabama in the SEC championship with a 28-7 win. This year, Georgia aims to contend for the national championship once more, with the October matchup being a stern test for Alabama. Improving their run game, which struggled with -3 yards in the SEC championship, will be crucial for Alabama’s hopes of success.
Texas A&M at Alabama (Oct. 24)
The clash between Texas A&M and Alabama could be a pivotal moment in the SEC race for a CFP spot. Texas A&M appears set for another CFP attempt with quarterback Marcel Reed returning. For Alabama to succeed, its front seven must contain Reed effectively. Last season, Miami and Texas managed this feat by dominating the trenches, an area where Alabama fell short in key games. Playing at home should boost DeBoer’s team.
Alabama at LSU (Nov. 7)
LSU is expected to be a strong contender under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Alabama will face a challenging environment playing at Tiger Stadium in November. By this stage, a victory against LSU might be essential to keeping Alabama’s CFP hopes alive. To succeed, Alabama’s secondary must perform well against one of the nation’s top receiver groups.
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